I want to focus on researching the elements of Chapter 23 of Diane Ravitch’s book Reign of Error. In this chapter, Ravitch (2013) offers her second solution to improving education and schools for American children, which involves providing high-quality preschool services to all children regardless of socioeconomic status. I want to explore this solution more thoroughly and also touch upon biological development, poverty, nutrition and segregation as it pertains to very early childhood.
This issue is extremely important to me because in my opinion it is the most probable solution that can be made a reality at this period in time. Ravitch (2013) cites sources such as James Heckman, an economist who appears to have laid a cost-effective blueprint through data-based research that involves preschool. There is strong evidence that poverty and chronic stress can put a child at a disadvantage in learning and there is also evidence that early childhood education is one of the effective remedial strategies at giving children a cognitive boost that they need to succeed in learning. The issue of poverty and medical care provided to children is so important to me that I am drawn to preschool as one of the probable solutions in providing care at an early age so that children can have strong bodies and brains.
Preschool is not made mandatory by the United States government and therefore those of a higher socioeconomic status tend to reap the benefits of preschool, thus widening the achievement gap between more privileged students and those in poverty. Rhode Island is not exempt from this issue because poverty and segregation is a national problem. As a future school psychologist, I hope to have a say in the development of early childhood programs as I have personally seen other school psychologists have before me.
Five questions that I feel should be included would be:
What is the evidence for the benefits of preschool education?
How might preschool be a cost effective solution?
What is the importance of non-cognitive skill development in young children?
How might these non-cognitive and cognitive skills be taught?
What impact do you expect preschool to have on the general population as it pertains to poverty and segregation?
I plan to use a variety of sources, including local sources and programs, for my research. I will read more into James Heckman’s research on the economic impact of preschool programs. I also want to look at organizations that Ravtich (2013) mentions such as Nurse-Family Partnership program, the Perry Preschool Project, and the Abecedarian Project. Previous research in my School Psychology classes will also play a beneficial role in the development of this research project, and new sources will enhance my exploration.
This issue is extremely important to me because in my opinion it is the most probable solution that can be made a reality at this period in time. Ravitch (2013) cites sources such as James Heckman, an economist who appears to have laid a cost-effective blueprint through data-based research that involves preschool. There is strong evidence that poverty and chronic stress can put a child at a disadvantage in learning and there is also evidence that early childhood education is one of the effective remedial strategies at giving children a cognitive boost that they need to succeed in learning. The issue of poverty and medical care provided to children is so important to me that I am drawn to preschool as one of the probable solutions in providing care at an early age so that children can have strong bodies and brains.
Preschool is not made mandatory by the United States government and therefore those of a higher socioeconomic status tend to reap the benefits of preschool, thus widening the achievement gap between more privileged students and those in poverty. Rhode Island is not exempt from this issue because poverty and segregation is a national problem. As a future school psychologist, I hope to have a say in the development of early childhood programs as I have personally seen other school psychologists have before me.
Five questions that I feel should be included would be:
- What is the evidence for the benefits of preschool education?
- How might preschool be a cost effective solution?
- What is the importance of non-cognitive skill development in young children?
- How might these non-cognitive and cognitive skills be taught?
- What impact do you expect preschool to have on the general population as it pertains to poverty and segregation?
I plan to use a variety of sources, including local sources and programs, for my research. I will read more into James Heckman’s research on the economic impact of preschool programs. I also want to look at organizations that Ravtich (2013) mentions such as Nurse-Family Partnership program, the Perry Preschool Project, and the Abecedarian Project. Previous research in my School Psychology classes will also play a beneficial role in the development of this research project, and new sources will enhance my exploration.